Upper-body exercise cycle

ABSTRACT

Exercise device using rotating hand pedals against a variable resistance for the purpose of exercising the upper-body on an upper-body spinning cycle and incorporating a seating mechanism providing for placement of the operator&#39;s body to permit the conditioning of the upper portions of the operator&#39;s body including abdominal muscles, hip flexors, back, arms, wrists and hands by pedaling against a resistance to the accompaniment of music or instruction in a class type setting or at home without instruction. The embodiment of the invention allows for adjustment of the resistance to provide both aerobic and anaerobic exercise providing both muscle development and cardio-vascular conditioning. The embodiment of the invention allows the cranks to be rotated in an opposed or reciprocating position similar to conventional bicycles or the cranks can be rotated instantly and freely to be side by side in tandem or any orientation between opposed or tandem. The embodiment of the invention allows the cranks to be pedaled simultaneously or individually with one crank stationary while the other crank is pedaled. The switching of pedaling from one crank individually to two cranks simultaneously can be performed at the direction of the instructor in a class setting.

Most rotational resistance type exercise equipment is operated by arider sitting in a position similar to that of riding a bicycle. Theoperator pedals with his legs against a resistance either fixed orvariable and by doing so develops the strength of his legs and at thesame time conditions his cardio-vascular system. There are also manytypes of equipment that attempt to develop and condition the operator'slower and upper body simultaneously. Some of these devices combinerotational resistance for the legs and some means of linear orreciprocating motion for the arms while the operator is either standingor sitting on some type of support or movable platform. There are alsostand alone devices for disabled people that enable the operator toexercise their arms, wrists and hands and some even have passivemovement of the legs during exercise. There are also many pieces ofexercise equipment that make some use of instruction or videopresentation while the operator is using the equipment. In the case ofspinning classes for the legs an instructor creates a program that maytake the rider on an imaginary journey or simply direct the rider inwhich adjustments to make or how hard to pedal. There are also manytypes of exercise equipment that use some type of roller clutch to forcerotation of a drive shaft in one direction while letting it spin freelyin the opposite direction or simply keep on spinning once forcedrotation has stopped. Roller clutches can be seen is stair stepexercisers where they are used to convert linear motion to the rotationof a drive shaft or they can be seen used on a conventional leg poweredbicycle providing the means for the rider to pedal with each legindependently of the other or only one leg at a time.

The invention disclosed herein is specifically directed at theconditioning and development of the operator's upper body and arms,including abdominal muscles, hip-flexors and back through an upper-bodyspinning cycle to the accompaniment of music or instruction andincluding independently rotatable cranks that can be pedaledsimultaneously, independently, in a reciprocating manner or synchronizedin to be pedaled in tandem. The present invention combinescardio-vascular conditioning and strength training by varying theresistance of the flywheel Although using a flywheel for inertia andcombining this inertial effect with a caliper brake for resistance isnot new for leg driven cycles and is also used by some upper-body ergometers the combination of flywheel for inertial effect, caliper brakefor resistance and seating of the rider in a unit providing seat and legsupport is new. Also, the combination of the inertial effect of theflywheel, brake for resistance of the flywheel rotation, and cranks thatare pedaled by the operator's hands but are allowed to be rotateindependently of each other is new. By making and upper-body ergo meterthat has independent crank arms the operator is able to pedal with onearm at a time, both arms in an opposed manner, both arms in a tandemfashion or a few pedal motions with one arm and then the other similarto punching a punching bag. When the use of this invention is put tomusic with an instructor; upper-body spinning classes are born.

The operator exerts effort against a variable rotational resistance bypedaling with his hands. This is not new and is seen in some exercisemachines and also in hand powered bicycles. What is novel about thisinvention is the operator is able to position his body relative to thepedals and the pedals relative to his body in positions that enable theisolation of different muscle groups. In this invention the rider isalso able to pedal the cranks independently of each other, the crankscan be turned one side only, both sides opposed, or both sides in tandemor any orientation that the operator chooses and the orientation can bechanged at any time. This invention is intended for the use in spinningclasses for the upper-body, similar to the spinning bikes used inclasses for the lower-body. The invention includes a platform for theoperator to rest upon in a seated position or kneeling position and canaccess rotational cranks with his hands. The hands pedal cranks whichare either in tandem, opposed or pedaled independently are pedaledagainst a resistance that can be fixed or variable. The device includesa seat or kneeling platform that can be adjusted vertically andhorizontally and cranks which can also be adjusted both vertically,horizontally and the cranks themselves can be opposed or in tandem oranywhere in between because they engage the flywheel independently ofeach other allowing one crank to be stationary while the other crankengages the flywheel causing rotation. The spacing of the pedals can beadjusted to be wider or narrower to allow the rider to exert effort bydifferent muscles. The rider can also assume a kneeling position toexercise the lower back and abdominal muscles. Because the cranks can bewide enough to straddle the operator's legs the cranks can be lowered sothe operator is pulling up on the cranks when riding in a seatedposition with the legs forward exercising the traps and upper lats orthe seat can be lowered and the cranks raised so the operator iseffecting an effort similar to a an incline bench press. The adjustmentof the seat and seat back allows the operator to lock his body into theequipment and deliver tremendous exertion to the cranks. This allows therotational resistance to be maximized so the operator can achievemaximum muscle development.

The footrests are located to enable the rider to position his feetagainst them to anchor his body for the purpose of maximum pull againstthe crank arms. The footrests can be adjusted forwardly or rearwardlyand also up and down to accommodate riders with different body sizes.

The following illustrations and captions show and describe some of thepossible embodiments of the invention. There are many ways to make theinvention but essentially the invention is comprised of a crank arm anda flywheel with some means to impart movement to the crank and somemeans to transfer that movement to the flywheel. The embodiment of theinvention shown includes a pair of cranks and a single flywheel but itcould be equally effective with only one crank and one flywheel or apair of flywheels with a crank connected to each flywheel providing forindependent use of one or both of the operator's arms. The presentinvention is shown in two different embodiments:

The invention as shown in illustrations: 5 and 6 with a pair of crankarms fixed in a tandem position with single chainring, chain andfreewheel on the right side of the bike as the operator sits on it. Inthis embodiment of the invention the operator is able to pedal witheither one arm or both arms but either way both cranks are connected bya common shaft and are in a fixed orientation to each other and when onecrank arm is rotated the other must also rotate. The cranks may beopposed as on a conventional bicycle or in tandem (parallel orientationto each other). The cranks may also be narrow, like conventional cranksas found on a bicycle and as shown in illustrations 5 and 6 they ormaybe wide as shown in illustration 7. By varying the width of thecranks and hand-pedals or the orientation of the crank arms, theoperator may use and exercise different muscle groups.

The invention as shown in illustrations: 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, and 11 witha right and left side crank arm and drive sprocket each connected to twoseparate and independent freewheels located on a shaft; the shaft beingfixed to the flywheel for the purpose of rotating the flywheel; onefreewheel being a left-hand drive and the other freewheel a right handdrive so that rotation of either crank arm imparts a rotation to theflywheel and the other crank arm can remain stationary or be rotatedalong with the other crank in a reciprocating motion like a bicycle orin tandem with the opposite crank or any position in between, includingrotating in the opposite direction of the other crank.

In another embodiment of the invention the crank arms and sprockets maybe connected to an intermediate jackshaft located between the crank armsand the flywheel. Each crank arm; left or right is supported by its ownbearing assembly and each crank arm is free to rotate independently ofthe other crank arm. In this embodiment each sprocket on each crank armis connected by a chain or other means to a roller clutch on thejackshaft assembly as shown in the jackshaft assembly in FIG. 8. In FIG.8 there are two roller clutches on the jackshaft; one a left hand clutchand the other a right hand clutch. The roller clutches are actuallyidentical combinations of sprocket and roller bearing. The left hand orright hand operation of the clutch is determined by the orientation ofthe roller bearings with the shaft One orientation of the roller clutchpermits free rotation in one direction and locks onto the shaft forcingrotation of the shaft when turned in the opposite direction. Reversedorientation of the roller clutch permits free rotation of the jackshaftin the opposite direction. The jackshaft is mounted by a flange bearingor pillow block bearing to the frame of the exercycle. When either theleft or right crank arm is rotated rotation of the jackshaft isinitiated. There is a sprocket permanently affixed to the end of thejack shaft such that when the jackshaft rotates this sprocket alsorotates. This sprocket on the end of the shaft is connected by chain orother means to a sprocket on the flywheel. Rotation of the jackshaftproduces a subsequent rotation of the sprocket on the flywheel. Thesprocket on the flywheel can be a freewheel which allows the flywheel tokeep on rotating even if the jackshaft is not rotating or can be fixedto the flywheel which rotates the chain, jackshaft and correspondingsprockets but not the crank arms. In this embodiment the selection ofsprocket ratios between the teeth on the sprockets on the cranks and theteeth on the sprockets on the roller clutches on the jackshaft as wellas the ratio between the jackshaft driven sprocket and the flywheelsprocket or freewheel can be used to regulate the spin-up rpm of theflywheel. The rpm of the flywheel along with the inertia of the flywheeldetermines the feel of the bike to the rider and allows the rider toexperience the same feeling as riding a handcycle on the road.

FIG. 1: Independent crank arms with dual sprockets and chains; the rightside crankarm and chain connected to the flywheel with a right handfreewheel clutch and the left side crankarm connected to the flywheelwith a left-hand freewheel clutch. Flywheel tension knob is also shown.

FIG. 2: Perspective view of the spinning bike shown with independentcrankarms and dual chains connecting each crank arm independently to afreewheel on each side of the flywheel. The left side chain in connectedto the flywheel by means of a left hand freewheel and the right sidecrankarm is connected to the flywheel by means of a right handfreewheel.

FIG. 3: Dual drive mechanism showing cantilevered, independentlyrotatable drive sprockets and crank arms connected by dual chains to aleft-hand freewheel and a right hand freewheel imparting rotation to theflywheel. Also shown are the footrests and adjustable resistancefriction pads.

FIG. 4: Side view of spinning bike with single chain drive on right-sideof bike and one piece crank with both cranks in tandem position. Slidingadjustment of seat is visible and telescoping of seat is visible withlocking pin.

FIG. 5: Side view of Upper-body spinning bike with cranks shown in 270degree orientation and showing seat adjust ability and foot rests

FIG. 6: Rider shown on upper-body spinning bike with seat adjusted lowand rearward and with feet on footrests, cranks in the tandem positionand not able to rotate independently of each other.

FIG. 7: Wide cranks shown with drive sprocket assembly, hand pedals andbearing area on shaft.

FIG. 8: Jackshaft for means to allow independent rotation of each sidecrank arm showing sprockets with integral roller clutches, driven shaftand final drive gear for transferring rotation to the flywheel. Rollerclutches shown with reversed orientation providing both left and righthand drive to the drive shaft. This allows one clutch to remainstationary and still allow the drive shaft to rotate while the otherclutch drives the drive shaft and vice-versa.

FIG. 9: View showing vertical seat adjustment and locking pin as well ashorizontal sliding mechanism for adjusting seat and locking in seat inplace horizontally.

FIG. 10: Sideview with rider on upper-body exercise cycle showing seatadjusted and feet on footrests and crank arms in a 90° orientation toeach other.

FIG. 11: Front view of rider on upper-body exercise cycle with crankarms in 180° opposed position.

1. A frame structured to include a flywheel, a platform for the seatingof a rider, a platform for the rider's feet, a crank mechanism connectedto the flywheel such that rotation of the crank imparts a rotation tothe fly wheel, a pedal mechanism connected to the cranks such that therider can grasp the pedals with his hands to impart rotation to thecranks; said seat platform to be rearward of the axis of the handcranks.
 2. A frame structured to include a flywheel, a seat for therider, a pair of crank arms connected by such means to the flywheel thatrotation of the crank arms collectively or independently impartsrotation to the flywheel; said crank arms structured to moveindependently of each other, and a pedal device attached to each crankarm such that the pedal device can be grasped by the operator's handsand movement of the pedal device causes movement of the crankarms.
 3. Aframe structured to include a flywheel and a cranking mechanism; saidcranking mechanism consisting of at least one crank; said crankconnected to the flywheel such that rotation of the crank imparts arotation to the flywheel and an instructor or means of instructing theoperator while the operator is engaged in an upper-body spinning class.4. A device as in claim 1 with a frame structured to support arotational flywheel; said frame structured to include a hand crank andsaid hand crank connected to the flywheel so that rotation of the handcranks imparts rotation to the flywheel. A means attached to the handcranks so that a person can grab said means with his hands and impart aforce to the crank arms resulting in rotation of the hand cranks; and aplatform releasably connected to said frame rearward of the axis of thehand cranks to support the rider; and such platform and said connectionstructured so the platform can be moved through a range of motionvertically or horizontally; and a platform releasably connected to saidframe on each side of the flywheel forward of the axis of the hand crankto support the rider's foot; such that said platform and connection canbe moved through a range of motion vertically and horizontally; and saidconnection of seat platform and said connection of foot platform suchthat a locking means provides a means to secure said seat platform andsaid foot platform in a desired vertical or horizontal position.
 5. Adevice as in claim 2 with a frame structured to include a flywheel; saidframe structured to support a cranking mechanism such that rotation ofthe cranking mechanism imparts a rotation to the flywheel, said crankingmechanism including of a pair of crank arms structured such that eachcrank arm can rotate freely of the other crank, each of said cranksconnected by such means to the flywheel that rotation of either crankimparts a rotation to the flywheel.
 6. Exercise device using rotatinghand pedals against a variable resistance for the purpose of exercisingthe upper-body on an upper-body spinning cycle and incorporating aseating mechanism providing for placement of the operator's body topermit the conditioning of the upper portions of the operator's bodyincluding abdominal muscles, hip flexors, back, arms, wrists and handsby pealing against a resistance to the accompaniment of music orinstruction in a class type setting or at home without instruction. Theembodiment of the invention allows for adjustment of the resistance toprovide both aerobic and anaerobic exercise providing both muscledevelopment and cardio-vascular conditioning. The embodiment of theinvention allows the cranks to be rotated in an opposed or reciprocatingposition similar to conventional bicycles or the cranks can be rotatedinstantly and freely to be side by side in tandem or any orientationbetween opposed or tandem. The embodiment of the invention allows thecranks to be pedaled simultaneously or individually with one crankstationary while the other crank is pedaled. The switching of pedalingfrom one crank individually to two cranks simultaneously can beperformed at the direction of the instructor in a class setting.